Matthew Chapter 14: John's Death and Feeding 5000

• Matthew chapter 14 recounts several significant events in the life of Jesus and John the Baptist.

Death of John the Baptist

• Herod Antipas, tetrarch of Galilee, imprisoned John the Baptist due to John's condemnation of Herod's marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
• Herodias held a grudge against John and sought to have him killed.
• On Herod's birthday, Herodias' daughter, Salome, danced for Herod and pleased him greatly.
• Herod promised Salome whatever she asked, up to half his kingdom.
• Prompted by her mother, Salome requested the head of John the Baptist on a platter.
• Herod, though grieved, reluctantly granted her request because of his oath and the presence of his guests.
• John was beheaded in prison, and his head was brought on a platter to Salome, who gave it to her mother.
• John's disciples retrieved his body and buried it, then informed Jesus of the event.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

• Upon hearing of John's death, Jesus withdrew by boat to a solitary place.
• The crowds, learning of his departure, followed him on foot from the towns.
• Jesus had compassion on the crowd and healed their sick.
• As evening approached, the disciples suggested that Jesus send the crowd away to buy food.
• Jesus responded that they should feed the crowd themselves.
• The disciples pointed out that they only had five loaves of bread and two fish.
• Jesus instructed them to bring the bread and fish to him.
• He directed the people to sit down on the grass.
• Taking the five loaves and two fish, he looked up to heaven, blessed the food, and broke the loaves.
• He gave the pieces to the disciples, who distributed them to the crowd.
• Everyone ate and was satisfied.
• The disciples collected twelve basketfuls of leftover fragments.
• About five thousand men, besides women and children, had eaten.

Jesus Walks on Water

• Immediately after feeding the five thousand, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side of the lake, while he dismissed the crowd.
• After dismissing the crowd, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.
• Later that night, the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
• In the fourth watch of the night (between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.), Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
• When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and thought he was a ghost.
• Jesus immediately said to them, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
• Peter replied, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water."
• Jesus said, "Come."
• Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and started toward Jesus.
• But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
• Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
• And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
• Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Healing in Gennesaret

• When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
• And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country.
• People brought all their sick to him.
• They begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak.
• All who touched it were healed.